NSW Bushfires: Police looking for vehicle linked to suspicious fires
Police need help in identifying a car they believe is connected to three deliberately lit fires in Castlereagh and Londonderry last December.
Penrith
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NSW Police need help in finding a purple 2002 Toyota Rav 4 vehicle they believe is connected to three deliberately lit fires in Castlereagh and Londonderry in December.
A police spokesperson said Strike Force Myler had been formed to investigate a number of suspicious bushfires in the areas.
“At about 2.35 on December 3, emergency services were called to Firetrail and Smeeton roads in Castlereagh following reports of two bushfires,” they said.
“Several NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews responded to battle the blaze.
“At about 3.10pm, a third bushfire was reported on Wilshire Rd, Londonderry.
“The fires, which burnt through 40 hectares of land, were extinguished after several hours.”
At a press conference this morning, Detective Inspector Jason Pietruszka said a person of interest, described as a male, had shown a “complete disregard for property and people’s lives”.
“We believe it’s one person,” he said.
“We’re treating this as extremely serious, and we can confidently say this was a deliberate act after a three-month investigation.
“This person needs to be brought to justice.”
Detective Inspector Pietruszka called on anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to police.
“The vehicle we’re looking for is described as a purple 2002 Toyota Rav 4, with yellow and black NSW registration plates,” he said.
“This vehicle was seen travelling in areas surrounding all three fires prior to and after their ignition.
“If you have a friend or know someone who has been activing in a way that fits this criterium, or owns a similar vehicle, you should speak to them.
“Any information to police will be anonymous.”`
Detective Inspector Pietruszka said police believe the person has “some local knowledge”.
“We’re looking at local people, but we’re not just concentrating on that,” he said.
“We’re looking at any person who may have a connection to that area.
“I have a very low opinion of this person – they need to be stopped because we don’t know how bad the next fire season might be.
“It was a despicable and disgusting act. If they want to come forward it’ll save us time, but we’re willing to put that time in and we will be coming for that person.”
Police urge anyone with relevant information about the fires to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.